"There is an increasing trend in vehicles that went into service with internal combustion engines being converted to electric. Initially this has tended to be for ‘high end’ vehicles, but it is becoming more mainstream. Such conversions require significant change to the vehicle mechanics – not just the power, but also systems such as braking and steering assistance may also need significant change. The government is considering whether something is needed to assure the safety of such conversions. The government is also considering whether there is scope to change the DVLA record to show the conversion has happened – potentially allowing the (currently) lower VED rate for electric vehicles, but such a change would ideally have some surety that the vehicle really had been converted. It has been suggested that the MOT could form a part of that solution. We are interested in views on such use of the MOT."
For those that have signed up to the SIG, we have a meeting coming up next Tuesday, March 14th at 8:00pm.
I have just sent this email out ot SIG members along with meeting details, so check your inbox
We’ve got a lot to talk about this month.
I have a few images of our “under the radar” builder who continues to move forward with his Seven conversion. I also managed to get to see him since we met in January and I can also answer general questions about what he’s up to and how he's going about things. He’s sent me some pictures of his build and I’ll be able to screen share them by Zoom - he doesn’t want me to send them out at the moment, but I can screen share them on the call.
If there's appetite then we can discuss my latest EV article that came out in the Feb edition of LF and I can answer any questions that it might have created
My conversion project is now on the move now that I’ve mostly retired, and so I can fill you in on progress with 3D models, getting The Mule MOT’ed, latest thoughts on my project and more
As I write this on Tuesday 7th, March I have just finished day one of my two day City and Guilds EV Tech and Safety courses run by Zero-EV at their units near Bristol. So by next Tuesday I should hopefully have passed the course and give my opinion on it, what I think I got from it, the factory tour they gave us and the gossip I heard :-)
I also hope you enjoyed the article in February 2023 Lowflying, and thanks to all who commented and contributed. If you have suggestions on things you think Club members would like to know about then I can try and weave that into coming articles so please drop me a line if you have an idea for a topic.
As a result of the Feb LF article I put together a short video showing some of the components in an EV. I’m working on a publicly available version of the video but for the time being there’s a private link to the video available here: https://bit.ly/3WSpb8d
And don't forget to send me your telephone number if you'd like to be added to the EV WhatsApp group - as I do more with my build I’ll be posting pictures of progress there.
John
John Martin
Caterham 420R SV, lowered floors and some creature comforts.
Welcome Tom!
John
John Martin
Caterham 420R SV, lowered floors and some creature comforts.
Yet Another Blogger: www.purplemeanie.co.uk
The evolution of Formula E:
Jonathan
Views sought on conversions as part of the possible changes to MoTs.
"There is an increasing trend in vehicles that went into service with internal combustion engines being converted to electric. Initially this has tended to be for ‘high end’ vehicles, but it is becoming more mainstream. Such conversions require significant change to the vehicle mechanics – not just the power, but also systems such as braking and steering assistance may also need significant change. The government is considering whether something is needed to assure the safety of such conversions. The government is also considering whether there is scope to change the DVLA record to show the conversion has happened – potentially allowing the (currently) lower VED rate for electric vehicles, but such a change would ideally have some surety that the vehicle really had been converted. It has been suggested that the MOT could form a part of that solution. We are interested in views on such use of the MOT."
Jonathan
Thanks Jonathan,
I spotted this article in the Times on Thursday about MoT's too...
Electric car MoTs will test for safety
And also this one this morning about whether you should get an electric car...
Should you really get an electric car?
John
John Martin
Caterham 420R SV, lowered floors and some creature comforts.
Yet Another Blogger: www.purplemeanie.co.uk
Just watched this (OK not my favourite channel) but an electric 911 with a gearbox looks very interesting especially that 1980's model.
https://youtu.be/jledxGoaIN8
Hi All,
For those that have signed up to the SIG, we have a meeting coming up next Tuesday, March 14th at 8:00pm.
I have just sent this email out ot SIG members along with meeting details, so check your inbox
John
John Martin
Caterham 420R SV, lowered floors and some creature comforts.
Yet Another Blogger: www.purplemeanie.co.uk
2022 scorecards for the worlds major EV producers: https://leadthecharge.org/scorecards/
James
Neat idea for the low end of the EV market
User hotswappable batteries for electric motorbikes.
Gogoro
1.6K Roadsport SV
Those battery swapping systems are really cool. Apparently its a huge thing that happens for Taxi's in China now too.
If only I could find a way of getting 20 of those bike batteries in a Seven chassis and the UK circuits to install the swapping stations!
John Martin
Caterham 420R SV, lowered floors and some creature comforts.
Yet Another Blogger: www.purplemeanie.co.uk
Notes from 14th March 2023 meeting now posted to EV blog:
https://www.caterhamlotus7.club/blogs/2023-03-14-ev-sig-meeting-notes
John
John Martin
Caterham 420R SV, lowered floors and some creature comforts.
Yet Another Blogger: www.purplemeanie.co.uk